Region weathers latest dose of winter

Thursday

Mar 7, 2013 at 6:00 AMMar 7, 2013 at 12:14 PM

A handful of communities canceled school today, including Gardner, Fitchburg and Leominster. Wachusett Regional School District is closed. Up to 10 inches of snow is expected for Central Massachusetts, with the brunt of the storm and heaviest accumulation expected tonight.

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

A handful of communities canceled school today, including Gardner, Fitchburg and Leominster. Wachusett Regional School District is closed.

The Quabbin Regional School District will release students two hours earlier than usual.

See complete list of school closings, delayed openings and early dismissals.

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority is on a snow route schedule. More information at www.therta.com.

A nor'easter is bringing wind-whipped, wet snow to Massachusetts, and coastal flooding is expected in communities still recovering from February's blizzard.

A coastal flood warning is in effect this morning to Friday morning for east-facing shores. The National Weather Service predicts up to a 3-foot surge at high tide in some areas. Scituate and Sandwich are most vulnerable, especially during Friday morning's high tide.

Up to 10 inches of snow is expected for Central Massachusetts, with the brunt of the storm and heaviest accumulation expected tonight.

Lower snow totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected in eastern Massachusetts, including Boston, and less along the coast.

Cape Cod is expected to gets 30 to 40 mph winds, gusting to 60 mph.

Parking bans are in effect in Worcester and Webster.

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority has postponed a hearing scheduled for Thursday evening at the Worcester Public Library. No new date has been set.

State Sen. Richard T. Moore has cancelled office hours scheduled for Thursday evening at the Dudley Municipal Complex. No new date has been set.

A planned rally in favor of supporting communities through broad-based tax increases has been postponed. The event, which was scheduled for Thursday morning at the Worcester Public Library, has not been rescheduled.

The weather has prompted the cancellation of the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Walk and Rally in Fitchburg.